A great way to enjoy an evening is to relax by an open fire - and a firepit can make it even nicer&period; They are great for outdoor entertaining&comma; and when the weather starts to cool off&comma; you can still enjoy the outdoors&period;

Preparing for a Firepit

Patio firepits are available in kits or as separate components&period; Some are steel bowls or frames that you can move around the yard&period; Others are built in place with concrete blocks or similar noncombustible materials&period; This project consists of a steel fire bowl surrounded by concrete blocks&period;

Before you begin construction&colon;Step 1

Check with any local ordinances or homeowners' association guidelines to see if firepits are permitted&period; Some regulations don't allow them&comma; while others require that they be located at least a specific distance away from structures or property lines &lpar;typically 20 feet&rpar;&period; It's for your safety and that of your neighbors that these regulations are enforced&period;Step 2

Select a convenient and safe location for the firepit&period; Make sure that it's in an open area away from the house&comma; low tree limbs or anything else that could catch fire&period; If possible&comma; position it near your woodpile for convenience&period;Step 3

Place a small flag at the selected location&comma; and check it periodically over a few days to determine the prevailing wind direction&period; You don't want smoke blowing in your windows or those of your neighbors&period;Building the Firepit

The following procedures are for installing a basic firepit ring of concrete blocks surrounding a steel firepit bowl with a cover&period; The same process can be used to install other firepits with bricks or other materials&comma; with or without a firepit bowl&period; Removable firepit bowls make cleaning easier&period; The optional firepit cover makes them safer by retaining hot coals in the pit&period; You should also have a metal poker to move and adjust wood in the pit for an optimum fire&period;Caution

Firepits should be installed on concrete patios&comma; pavers or bare dirt&period; Firepits shouldn't be installed directly on wood decks or other combustible materials&period; If using a firepit bowl on a wood deck&comma; make sure a fireproof barrier is installed below and around the bowl&period;Step 1

Gather the materials and tools you'll need for this job&period; Once gathered&comma; construction of the firepit should only take an hour or two at the most&period;Good to Know

These instructions are for a dry-fit masonry ring&comma; meaning that no mortar is required between the blocks&period; If preferred&comma; you may build the firepit ring using mortar&period;Step 2

Assemble the firepit screen cover&comma; and place it on the patio to mark the center of the firepit&period; This step will help you determine the size of the firepit ring&period;Step 3laying first course of block&period;

Place the first layer of blocks around the cover&comma; making sure all the joints between blocks are tight&period; The example project has 16 blocks in each layer&period; Mortar isn't used&period;Step 4

Remove the cover and set it aside for now&period;Step 5

Install the second layer of blocks on top of the completed first layer&comma; staggering the joints between the blocks to strengthen the wall&period;Step 6laying final rows of block&period;

Install the third&comma; then the fourth layer of blocks&comma; staggering the joints&period;Step 7adding the fire pit insert&period;

Install the firepit tray - without the legs - in the ring&period;Step 8

Install the firepit grate&period;Good to Know

If you choose not to install a steel firepit bowl&comma; use fireproof blocks to line the inside of the ring or construct the ring with fireproof blocks&period;Building a FireStep 1

Place a starter log on the firepit grate&period;Step 2

Stack a few logs over the starter log&period;Step 3

Light the starter log&period;Step 4

Once the fire is steadily burning&comma; cover the firepit with the screen lid&period;Caution

Keep a bucket of water or fire extinguisher nearby&period;Good to Know

Make sure you clean out firepit ashes regularly&period; You can mix the cool&comma; extinguished ashes with compost for your garden beds&period;